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NC Officials: Get Where You're Going; NC Shutting Down Ocracoke Ferry Service

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina officials are urging residents and visitors to get where they're going now — before Hurricane Arthur hits the coast.

Gov. Pat McCrory and other officials reminded residents Thursday to have emergency kits and plans ready for the storm, which is expected to whip near the Outer Banks on Friday. Rain, heavy winds, storm surge and dangerous rip tides are expected.

State Transportation Secretary Tony Tata said after the storm passes, the state will have to get sonar readings from the Bonner Bridge before N.C. 12 can reopen on Hatteras Island.

Officials also say the beaches would be beautiful for the July 4th weekend once Arthur moves on. McCrory said he hopes to be in coastal Southport on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, New Hanover County declared a state of emergency.

MANNS HARBOR, N.C. — Ocracoke Island soon will be inaccessible as state officials plan to shut down ferry service to prepare for Hurricane Arthur.

Officials with the North Carolina Ferry Division said in a news release the ferry runs between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands will end at 5 p.m. Thursday. Ferry Division Director Ed Goodwin says crews need to secure the boats and put them in a safe location.

The ferry runs between Ocracoke and Swan Quarter and Ocracoke and Cedar Island will end at 4 p.m. Thursday. Those routes take people to the mainland from Ocracoke, which is accessible only by ferry.

The National Hurricane Center forecast says Arthur should reach Category 2 strength with winds of at least 96 mph before its landfall or closest approach to the coast early Friday.